Deep country meets accessibility in Lovell
Though Lovell is the largest town in Big Horn County, it has just 2,400 residents and a rural atmosphere with deep roots as a ranching community. The area has become the Rose Town of Wyoming, and the flowers provide pops of color against the earthy tones of the distant Bighorn Mountains. “It’s a beautiful, very quiet area that’s tight-knit,” says Jessy Mundy, a sales associate with Coldwell Banker Antlers Realty who has lived in northern Wyoming for decades. “And, you have a hospital. That may sound silly, but it’s big to have a medical center within 30 minutes of a small town in Wyoming.” Lovell is known for outdoor adventure and proximity to nature, but it also offers convenience. Main Street has a string of local shops that sell essentials, so Lovell residents can live a rustic lifestyle without traveling far for everyday amenities.
Recreation at small gathering spaces and national parks
Kids enjoy the playground and skate course at Armory Park, which hosts various youth leagues through the Town of Lovell Recreation Department. Lovell serves as the home base for visitors of the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, popular for backpacking, snowmobiling, fishing and water sports. Boats take off from the Horseshoe Bend Marina into Bighorn Lake, which is cradled by towering limestone cliffs with red and yellow hues. Trails cut through the spruces and pines of the Bighorn National Forest, and Five Springs Falls Campground provides routes to cascading waterfalls. The Pryor Mountain Wild Mustang Center runs guided tours about two hours into the rolling hills, where mustangs and stallions roam free. Lovell is also 100 miles from Yellowstone National Park. The Foster Gulch Golf Course is open to the public, 5 miles from downtown.
A housing market with mostly single-family options
Near downtown, modest bungalows and ranch-style homes line the wide suburban streets. Sidewalks are common, and many properties feature garages and driveways, keeping parked cars off the road. Outside of town, lots sit on sizeable acreages, often with barns and stables. “Most people are looking to move here because it’s more affordable,” Mundy says. “Homes go for $200,000 to $300,000 less than they would in Cody, just an hour west.” The median price is $380,000, slightly below the national figure. The CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Mom-and-pop shops replace big corporations on Main
Independently owned businesses occupy Lovell’s Main Street. The town has a family-owned drugstore, a few bars and Queen Bee Gardens sells local honey and candies. Aud’s Four Corners Bar and Grill offers pub fare and a pool table, and Mustang Café & BBQ serves smoky meats and country breakfasts. The Market at Lovell sells groceries and deli items, and big-box stores, such as Albertsons and Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply, are 20 miles away in Powell.
Students enroll in Big Horn County School District No. 2
Children begin at Lovell Elementary, which scores a B-minus on Niche. Lovell Middle and Lovell High score B-plus ratings. Career and technical education programs are available for middle and high schoolers, with options including graphic design, agriculture and accounting.
Events center around history and the Old West lifestyle
Despite its small population, Lovell has plenty of traditions. Lovell Mustang Days in late June is a weeklong celebration of local culture featuring dozens of activities, from a rodeo and car shows to cornhole tournaments and a parade. The Dollies of the Follies, a group of can-can dancers, have performed for decades at the Hyart Theatre, a historic 1950s cinema. Other attractions include the Lovell-Kane Museum, which showcases the area’s history with exhibits on the town’s founding in the late 19th century.
Main roads connect to big Wyoming and Montana cities
Two major thoroughfares intersect in Lovell. U.S. Route 14 leads 20 miles southwest to Powell and 25 miles farther to Cody. The closest flight options are in Cody at Yellowstone Regional Airport. Wyoming Highway 310 heads toward Billings, Montana, 90 miles north.
